Homemade Turkish Simit

Directions

1. 1
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast and salt.Gradually pour in the water and mix it with your hand. Knead it for 5 minutes or until you get a smooth and non-sticky, elastic dough.Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.Cover it and let it rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the molasses, water and flour. Set it aside.
2. 2
   Put the sesame seeds in another bowl. Put it aside. If the sesame seeds are raw, toast them in a pan beforehand.When the dough doubles in size after 1 hour, punch it down and transfer on a floured surface. Shape it into a log and cut it into 6 equal pieces. And then cut each piece into two. You will have 12 pieces in total.Grab two pieces and roll them into a rope, 20 inches/50cm in length.
3. 3
   Put these side by side and stick the ends by pinching.Twist in opposite directions to make a braid.
4. 4
   Combine the two ends by pinching them together and make a ring.Repeat this for the remaining dough balls.Preheat the oven at 425C/220C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put it aside.Soak the simit ring into the molasses mixture first and then put it into the sesame seed bowl.
5. 5
   Transfer onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden.